Discipline: Veterinary

Change the world farm by farm: The moral care of audit and the paradox of animal welfare inspection in Europe

Mc Loughlin

Published in 2025

Scientific article noting that European veterinary inspectors face a moral dilemma between official standards and the industrial reality of animal welfare during their inspections. Their power is limited, and they have to arbitrate between compliance, benevolence and systemic constraints.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories: Bovines, Caprines, Ovines, Porcines, Poultry

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Effects of music enrichment on the welfare of small ornamental fishes

Tianyu Niu, Bochun Xiang, Puyi Huang, Xigui Yang, Longhui Chai

Published in 2025

Scientific article demonstrating that certain musical styles and tempi, notably slow guzheng (Chinese zither) music, reduce stress and cortisol levels in aquarium fish. Music can produce positive or negative behavior, depending on the species and the tempo. Slow guzheng music was found to be the most soothing of the styles in the experiment, especially for guppies.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories: Fish

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Decree of June 19, 2025 laying down the animal health and protection rules to be met by activities involving domestic pets

Maud Faipoux

Published in 2025

This Order repeals that of April 3, 2014. It reinforces animal health and protection rules for pet-related activities, providing a clear and detailed regulatory framework for the activities of shelters, breeding establishments, educators and traders, taking into account the particular needs of each individual species. Health rules must now be instituted by all establishments. 

Document types: Regulation/Certification

Animal categories:Canine, Feline, Exotic pets, Birds (excluding poultry), Fish, Rodents

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Welfare of American mink, red and Arctic foxes, raccoon dog and chinchilla kept for fur production - EFSA

EFSA Panel on Animal Health and Welfare (AHAW)

Published in 2025

Recent scientific opinion from the EFSA, identifying the main welfare risks to animals bred for their fur (mink, foxes, raccoon dogs, chinchillas), which are mainly associated with lives spent in cages without enrichment, resulting in restricted movement, stress and behavioral disorders.

Document Types: Opinions

Animal categories: Mammals

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Review - Restricted access to pasture and inadequate grazing in ruminants and equines

Brunet Valentin, Fusi Francesca, Bernardo Tiziano, Canali Elisabetta, Ruet Alice, Faye Bernard, Aubé Lydiane

Published in 2025

Synthesis from EURCAW Ruminants & Equines on the provision of access to pasture, which encourages the expression of natural behaviors and improves the health and well-being of ruminants and equines, notably through enhanced locomotion, enriched social interactions and good quality feed. However, it is not without some risks (animals can suffer from nutritional deficiencies, thermal stress, and locomotory and health disorders such as parasitism), calling for the appropriate management of resources, the environment and animal health.

Document Types: Technical review

Animal categories:Cattle, Goats, Equines, Sheep, Ruminants

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Establishment of a list of non-domestic animal species that may be kept for companionship and pleasure, and definition of "conservation breeding".

Céline Couderc-Obert (IGEDD), Catherine Lhote (IGEDD), Philippe Steinmetz (CGAAER)

Published in 2025

Methodology report for drawing up a list of non-domestic species authorized to be kept without formalities for companionship or approval, for which the CGAAER and IGEDD were mobilized.

Document types: Regulation/Certification

Animal categories:Wildlife, Exotic pets

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Regional Platform on Animal Welfare for Europe - Annual report - 2024

Regional animal welfare platform for Europe / WHOA

Published in 2024

The World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH) European Regional Platform on Animal Welfare, created in 2013, supports all 53 European countries in the progressive implementation of WOAH standards, notably in the realms of transport, slaughter, management of stray dogs, animal welfare during emergencies caused by extreme natural events, and working equines. Since 2024, it has been putting its fourth action plan into operation, which responds to the needs of member countries and the results of an external evaluation.

Document types: Regulation/Certification

Animal categories:Cattle, Dogs, Goats, Equines, Sheep, Pigs, Poultry

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Beak trimming of hens: Practices, welfare concerns and alternatives

Harliqueen Jacinto, Marisa Erasmus

Published in 2025

Article outlining alternatives to beak trimming, practiced to limit pecking in laying hens. Environmental enrichment, genetic selection and better management practices are explored.

Document types: Technical Paper

Animal categories: Poultry

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Cow comfort, behavior and welfare with specific reference to dairy cattle: A review

Damodaran Sreekumar & Veerasamy Sejian

Published in 2024

Review on optimizing dairy cow comfort

Document Types: Scientific review

Animal categories: Bovines

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Surgical castration of piglets - challenges and alternatives - a review

Zalewska Anna, Batorska Martyna, Więcek Justyna, Rekiel Anna, Sońta Marcin

Published in 2025

Summary of the issues surrounding the castration of pigs. The European Declaration of 2010 was intended to achieve a ban on the practice by 2018, but several Member States have expressed their disagreement. `The alternatives (immunocastration, whole-male rearing) are worrying for consumers and producers alike. Despite the progress that has been made, the total abandonment of castration may not occur, due to practical, economic and behavioral constraints.

Document Types: Scientific review

Animal categories: Porcines

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